Today is the third Monday in April which means that in about an hour several thousand fast runners (and charity slot runners) will be toeing the line at the Boston Marathon. I have many awesome friends and bloggerites who are off to run today. It is going to be a hot one, to the point that the BAA offered a weather advisory and deferments to 2013 for those unwilling to take on the 80+ degree challenge. There is a lot of controversy and conversation popping up on facebook and twitter about the deferment option, but I’m not even going to go there. People have to consider their needs, health, and desire and reconcile their decisions based on that….(ok, now I’m not going to go there.)
I have never qualified for Boston. The closest I’ve ever come at the marathon distance was a 3:57 in Chicago in 2008 (in 80+ degree weather, hem…) That was just a stars aligned day and I ran really well. Unfortunately, I have not run that well since and even then I was 17 minutes off the required finish time to BQ. I reconciled myself to not qualifying any time soon and did an Ironman instead.
The thought of running 8:20 pace for 26.2 miles is so far from my ability as I sit here on injured reserve. But the lure of the hills of Beantown still lays upon my heart. All the will in the world cannot make my legs fast. Will can lead to good training but it can’t make me something I’m not. I don’t know if I will ever make it to Hopkinton or see the Citgo sign as a participant, but the wistful feeling in my heart does surge on this day every year.
My heart, prayers, and thoughts are with my friends and acquaintances at the start line today. I wish them all health, enjoyment, hydration, and strength as they traverse those wicked good hills. As for me, perhaps, some day but for now I will remain wistfully blissful.
RunSingTeach 